Industrial Laser Solutions

With LayerWise acquisition, 3D Systems extends presence in 3D printing

Sept. 10, 2014

3D Systems (3DS) has acquired LayerWise, a company that delivers quick-turn, 3D-printed metal parts manufactured on its proprietary line of direct-metal 3D printers for aerospace, high-precision equipment, and medical and dental customers.

Rock Hill, SC - 3D Systems (3DS; NYSE:DDD) has acquired LayerWise (Leuven, Belgium), a company that delivers quick-turn, 3D-printed metal parts manufactured on its proprietary line of direct-metal 3D printers for aerospace, high-precision equipment, and medical and dental customers. The transaction, whose terms were not disclosed, is expected to be immediately accretive to 3DS' cash generation.

Related: LayerWise 3D printing is capable of improving efficiencies in healthcare industries

Since 2008, LayerWise has designed and built its own direct-metal 3D printers. Its proprietary powder-to-solid metal printers can produce functional metal parts at the production scale. The company's direct-metal printers deliver relative part density of up to 99.98 percent and match conventional metals' mechanical properties at substantial unit weight reduction. These capabilities have led to rapid adoption of the company's manufacturing services by medical device, transportation, and precision equipment customers.

LayerWise will operate under the continued leadership of co-founders Jonas Van Vaerenbergh and Peter Mercelis and immediately pursue new projects in its high-end target markets, taking full advantage of the global market leadership of 3DS by leveraging the combined resources and expertise to advance the entire portfolio further and faster.